Switch-shifting mechanism.



No. 659,848. Patnted Oct. l6, I900. w. HAMILTON.

SWITCH SHIFTING MECHANISM.

(Application filed July 12, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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IINrrn STATES "FFICE.

\VIIJLIAM HAMILTON, OF NATIONAL MILITARY HOME, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO O. W. SWAN, OF \VELLSTON, OHIO.

SWITCH-SHIFTING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,848, dated October 16, 1900.

Application filed July 12, 1900.

T (tZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at the National Military Home, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Shifting Mechanism; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable to others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in switch-shifting mechanism for railroad-car tracks.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and reliable switch-shifting mechanism, such as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the track and switch. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 00 cc of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the switch-tongue and shifting device. Fig. 4. is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3 y of Fig. 2.

In the specification similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts.

1 1 designate the rails of the main track, and 2 2 designate the rails of the switch or turn-out track. The main track at the point where'the switch-track starts consists of a frog,which is provided with a space 3, in which the switch-tongue is allowed to move. The switch-tongue 4 is pivoted within the space 3 at one end 5. The space 3 at the other end of the switch is of less width and has two rounded surfaces 6,against which the rounded end of the switch-tongue 4 moves in either direction to throw the switch-tongue as desired. Upon the extreme end of the switchtongue 4 there is pivoteda shifting tongue 7, which tapers outwardly to its end and projects into the groove 8, in which the flanges of the wheels of the car move.

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that when the switch-tongue 4 is in one position the shifting tongue 7 occupies the position with its end pointing in opposite direction or away from Serial No. 23,285. (No model.)

the end of the switch-tongue. This enables the switch-tongue to be moved in a proper position for the wheels and also provides means by which the tongue may be moved by the shifter. The shifter consists of a curved bar 9, which is secured on the lower end oftan up right operating-bar 1 O, which projects through the platform 11 of the car and may be operated by the foot or hand in lowering or rais- 6o ing it to and from an operating position in the groove 8. As shown in Fig. 3, the shifting bar 9 is in position with its rounded side ready to come in contact with the shifting tongue 7 to throw the switch-tongue 4 to a position away from the position in which it is shown in said figure. The edge of said shifting bar 9 enters the space between the shifting tongue 7 and the side of the groove 8, and the first movement due to the contact of the edge of the bar 9 with the side of the shifting tongue 7 is to slightly move the switch-tongue t away from the side of the recess 3. A further onward movement of the shifting bar 9 engages with the rounded end 12 of the switch-tongue. In order to protect the shifting tongue 7 from contact with the flange of the wheels, I provide the tracks adjacent to said shifting tongue 7 with an elevated surface 13, upon which the wheels ride as they approach and So depart from the point at which said shifting tongue 7 is placed. (See Fig. 2.)

Having fully described my invention, I claim I 1. In a street-railway switch, the combina- 8 5 tion with a frog having a recess which terminates at its reduced end in rounded surfaces or pockets 6, of a switch-tongue having its reduced end rounded and adapted to fit in said pockets 6, a shifting tongue 7 pivoted solely to said rounded end of the switch-tongue and projecting beyond the pockets 6, and a crescent-shaped shifting bar 9 adapted to be lowered to a position to engage the said shifting tongue 7 with the rounded side of said shift- 5 ing bar to throw the switch-tongue in opposite directions, substantially as specified.

2. In a street-railway switch, the combination with a frog, the reduced end of the recessed portion thereof terminatingin rounded surfaces or pockets 6, a switch-tongue 4 having its reduced end rounded and adapted to fit in said pockets 6', a shifting tongue 7 pivoted solely to said-switch-tongueand occupyinga position above the lower surface ofsaid switch-tongue, a crescent-shaped shifting bar 9, the rounded surface of which is adapted to engage with said shifting tongue 7, to throw the switch-tongue in opposite directions, and an elevated surface 13 on the rails adjacent i to the shifting tongue 7 all arranged and operating,substantial1y as shown and described. IO

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HAMILTON.

Witnesses:

W. WIDDOES, JOHN W. KALBFUS. 

